Nowadays, simply voting doesn’t seem to be enough, and one often has to follow it up with hindsight at the very least. Such is the case for an Iowa man, and three-time voter for President Donald Trump, who says rising fuel costs and unmet campaign promises have pushed him to abandon the Republican Party. His sentiments have brought to attention broader concerns among GOP strategists about weakening enthusiasm within the party’s core base ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The now-viral testimony came from Lance Sulentic, a 56-year-old retired insurance agent from rural Harrison County, Iowa, who said he now regrets supporting Trump in the last three presidential elections. Sulentic describing those votes as “the worst three mistakes I’ve ever made in my life.” Sulentic said higher gasoline prices have increased his monthly motorcycle fuel expenses by an estimated $300 to more than $500, adding to his frustration over the economy.
“We voted for Trump, and he did the opposite of what he said he was going to do,” Sulentic said, arguing that campaign promises of lower gas prices, reduced food costs, lower energy bills, rebate checks, fewer foreign conflicts, and stricter immigration enforcement have not materialized. He said he is now considering either sitting out the midterm elections or voting for Democratic candidates, transcript courtesy of Washington Post.
Republican strategists acknowledge the warning signs but argue there is still time to rebuild enthusiasm before Election Day. Party leaders hope increased campaigning, voter outreach, and Trump’s involvement in the fall campaign will motivate conservative voters who have historically turned out in large numbers.
People online are skeptical
As it is, public polling has suggested Democrats currently hold an enthusiasm advantage among voters who say they are certain to cast ballots this November, raising concerns for Republicans in what is traditionally a difficult election cycle for the party controlling the White House. As for voters such as Sulentic, however, he continued to receive mockery online for having a change of heart only just now.
“And if Trump we’re to run again, I’m sure he’ll feel immensely shameful voting for him fourth time. And I’m sure he’ll go online to cry and whine about his difficult situation while constantly voting in the people that put him in those difficult situation. MAGA keeps going through the same door and wonder why the room looks the same,” suggests one commenter on Reddit.
“Yet. The same voter is going to vote for the right for the mid terms,” claims another commenter. Meanwhile, others questioned how exactly Sulentic’s gas cost so high. “300$ for gas on a motorcycle? Where is he driving?” questions one Reddit user, though such concerns are not exactly out of the ordinary, with gas prices being one of the most key arguing points against the Trump administration right now.
